‘Public dollars should remain public’: Johnson County, Kansas superintendents oppose Educational Choice for Children Act

JOHNSON COUNTY, Kan. (KCTV) - A trio of Johnson County school districts are banding together to voice opposition to legislation that would divert public funding to private education.

Blue Valley, Shawnee Mission and Olathe public schools wrote a letter that expressed “unified and urgent opposition to the Educational Choice for Children Act.”

That’s currently under consideration by the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee. It would expand school vouchers and send public education funding toward private schools.

“While each of our communities is unique, the consequences of this proposal would be similarly damaging across the board,” the districts’ letter said. “Kansas has a long history of ing strong public schools. Our Legislature has consistently rejected broad voucher programs, instead opting for a carefully limited tax credit scholarship initiative.

“That decision reflects the values of our state -- values that prioritize public education, local control and equitable opportunity for every child. This legislation undermines those values and would impose a model Kansans have not chosen.”

The districts argued Kansas families currently have educational choices and said the bill would reduce funding for public schools that “are already challenged to address rising costs in areas such as special education, staffing, health care, technology and infrastructure.”

The schools called on the Kansas congressional delegation to reject the act.

“Public dollars should remain in public schools -- where every child is welcomed and served, every dollar is transparently and responsibly managed, and every effort is made to deliver on the American promise of equitable, high-quality education for all.”

You can read the full letter here.